The use of agents provocateurs, as has been done throughout history, serves to help sway public opinion against demonstrations/ers, by creating a situation which is violent and which threatens public safety. This then discredits the protests, and helps dissuade peaceful protestors from attending. I’ve heard many people say they think twice about going to demos, as they are afraid that things may turn violent. At the recent student demonstrations, the headlines were all about the violence, and very little about the reasons for the demonstrations.
I’ve been at demos where everything’s been going along nice and peacefully, then seen lines of coppers in standard clothing being replaced by riot thugs, just before small groups of ‘anarchists’ have turned up and things have kicked off. All seemed to be almost orchestrated. This has happened on several occasions. i really don’t think the police are clairvoyant…
I think it’s actually more useful to think that this is in fact happening, than to deny any possibility, because if it’s actually true, then people should be aware of this tactic.
Can’t trust the police. Not when they are being used as a political tool.